Coventry v West Brom preview: Torbjorn Heggem's play-off belief for "cup finals"

The Norwegian defender this week scooped both players' and supporters' player of the season awards in his debut campaign at The Hawthorns.

Heggem, 26, stressed Albion's squad have a belief they are good enough to achieve the season-long target to make the play-offs. Friday's trip to arch-rivals Coventry brings a big opportunity to win a climb above the Sky Blues back into sixth having recently slipped out following a run of three defeats.

"We have four cup finals and the biggest one is the next one," Heggem said of the Coventry clash. "It's a cliché but (true). Coventry are three points ahead of us, so that's of course a really, really important game.

"It's huge for them as well. It would be a really cool match to hopefully win."

The centre-back added: "We are strong in the belief that we are good enough to get into the play-offs. We have it in our own hands.

"Of course the game on Friday is going to be really tough. Let’s just bring the momentum we have from the last game and be strong in the belief that we can do something really great the rest of the season.

"Especially after the start of the season and when the start was so good you believe in something really big and you can manage something great."

To jump into the top six Albion must win away for only the second time since September and win back-to-back games for the first time in that period.

Mowbray said prior to his side's 2-1 victory over Watford last time out that it may be necessary to win each of the final five games to make the cut.

The sixth-placed Sky Blues dropped points in midweek, though, giving them just a three-point buffer ahead of Friday's clash. Bristol City, who are fifth, are themselves just a point better off than Coventry.

Heggem, who has been a model of consistency in his debut season and missed just one league game, added: "When there’s just four games left and we are not in the play-offs right now, we need to win games.

"I think it’s possible to draw and for example win the three next but it’s a lot easier to just win the first one!

Heggem's performances for Albion this season have seen him become a five-cap full Norway international. The £525,000 purchase from Swedish outfit IF Brommapojkarna has excelled at left-back and centre-back this term.

He added on reaching the Premier League: "It means everything to be honest. It’s what we are working for everyday.

"We have been working consistently since August and now we are in the final weeks that’s the only thing I am thinking about right now.

"That’s the main goal. Playing in the Premier League is of course really huge."

Albion have winger Jed Wallace back available for the clash. Ousmane Diakite and Tammer Bany have a chance of returning but must train on Thursday. It comes too soon for Semi Ajayi, who returned to training yesterday.

Mowbray said of the mouth-watering clash: "This is a big game because it’s against a team that is also striving to get in, to stay in the play offs.

"As I would normally say, let the madness begin. Let the four games play and let’s see what comes out the other end. Players aren't stupid, they are quite bright and streetwise, they all know (what's on the line). I like to let games stand on their own two feet, stick to the football.

"We won't be going there tactically looking for the draw and hoping we can beat (other teams to play). We've got three of the bottom four yet they're probably just as difficult or more than teams with nothing left to play for. Those teams are fighting for their life.

"If we don't win on Friday I'm pretty sure I'll say we've got three massive games left, nine points to play for, let's see how many points everyone gets around us. We are looking forward to it."